Taylor returns to New Zealand fold

New Zealand will be boosted by the re-appearance of former captain Ross Taylor for the upcoming Twenty20 and one-day internationals against England.

Brendon McCullum will lead New Zealand against England.

The right-hander missed the recent tour of South Africa after being axed as captain, but is now poised to return to the fold to aid the Black Caps when they take on England, with the first T20 clash scheduled for Saturday 9th February in Auckland.

Speaking of Taylor's return to the national team set-up, coach Mike Hesson said: "Ross is a world-class batsman who is a key part of the Black Caps side."

New Zealand will, however, be without another former captain Daniel Vettori, due to a long-term Achilles injury, while seamer Tim Southee misses out with a broken thumb.

New Zealand are 4.50 to win the three-match T20 series, with England 1.20.

Taylor, who now seems certain to feature in the three Test matches at the end of the tour, has played in 47 T20 internationals and 116 ODIs to date, but has a relatively poor record against England in the shorter forms of the game, making just one half-century in 15 innings in the 50-over game.

Meanwhile, national selection general manager Kim Littlejohn says that the Black Caps have tried to balance long-term aims and short-term ambition in their squads.

He added: "We are looking at developing talented youngsters and finding a new crop of all-rounders in our build-up to the Champions Trophy in June and the 2015 World Cup."

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